Aero India to see flying displays of AEW&C system, LCA Tejas and LCA Navy

The 13th edition of the Aero India international air show, organised by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) began today at Air Force Station Yelahanka, Bengaluru. The DRDO's major attractions include flying displays of Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) system, Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas and LCA Navy.

Organised every two years, Aero India is a platform for aerospace enthusiasts, prospective defence industries, aspirant start-ups and other stakeholders to participate and witness the advances in global defence and aerospace fields and interact with delegations and industries from across the globe.

The French companies present at Aero India either at the France Pavilion or exhibiting directly are: ABC - Aerocampus Aquitaine - Airbus - Ametra - ASB Group - Axon' Cable - Cimulec Groupe - Dassault Aviation / Rafale International - Dassault Systemes, among others. France's participation in Aero India 2021 comes two weeks after France and India conducted joint air force exercises in Jodhpur, involving Rafale on both sides for the first time, and a month after the visit to India of French President Emmanuel Macron's Diplomatic Advisor for the Indo-French Strategic Dialogue.

Russian Ambassador to India Nikolay Kudashev lauded the ongoing Aero India and expressed happiness on being one of the biggest exhibitors at the event. "I am very proud to note that Russia will be one of the biggest exhibitors at the Aero India 2021. We plan to demonstrate Su-57, Su-35 and MiG-35 fighter jets, helicopters Ka-52, Ka-226, Mi-17B-5, Mi-26, S-400 systems, and many others," he added. Russian-Indian defence ties constitute the main pillar of the special and privileged strategic partnership between the two countries, said Kudashev.

On the strategic front, the Indian Ocean Region Defence Ministers conclave, being attended by 28 nations in physical or virtual format, is themed around “Enhanced peace, Security and cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region”, with the unspoken threat of Chinese expansionism in the background. Of special significance is the presence of the Iranian defence minister at the conclave – the first such standalone visit since 1979.